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South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) recorded 73 fires during the period, with one spreading to the size of more than 160 rugby pitches.

SWFRS group manager Vaughan Jenkins said they received 480 calls in total from 4pm on Saturday to 4pm on Sunday, with more than 400 relating to fires.

A SWFRS spokeswoman added that from 4pm on Sunday they recorded a further 37 grass fires, with the last recorded at 5.45am on Monday.

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The fires came perilously close to houses

The fires left devastated the landscape, leaving acres of black charred earth across the Valleys.

It could cost people's lives

Vaughan Jenkins

Group manager Jenkins added that they received 89 calls to one incident which is "a massive strain" on their resources.

SWFRS Group manager Jenkins said: "One of the biggest issues is the drain it puts on our resources. If someone has a house fire or if there is a road traffic collision, then it will mean a delay in our response time.

"We have got a lot of education at the moment to reduce them but that still needs to get through.

"I'd say to those who lit the fire, or knew who did, to think about all of the consequences of what you're doing.

"It's destroying the landscape and the wildlife - and it could cost people's lives because of the delays it causes."

SWFRS cannot yet confirm how many of the 36 fires were lit on purpose, but group manager Jenkins said the "majority" were set deliberately.

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Fire crews attended more than 70 grass fires in the space of 48 hours

Catastrophic Natural Disasters

Mon, October 17, 2016

The world has witnessed numerous disasters over the centuries and although most are man-made due to wars and terrorism, mother nature certainly dishes out her fair share of damage.